BDNF and the restoration of spine plasticity with autism spectrum disorders

This project will test if mice with autistic behavioral traits have impairments to the same biological mechanisms underlying learning and memory as occur in other syndromes of cognitive dysfunction. Researchers will test whether well-tolerated drugs causing the brain to increase production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can normalize these biological mechanisms and behavior in these animals. This includes tests to determine if these drugs correct behavioral abnormalities in the mouse model of fragile X mental retardation syndrome and in a second mouse strain with features of autism. Results from this study could highlight BDNF as an effective therapeutic target for correcting impairments in learning and memory in autism and fragile X.